MCL improves rail and infrastructure to achieve 250 MT target by 2020

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) set the deadline to complete the crucial Jharsuguda, Barpali and Sardege railway line by March 2017 to achieve its target of producing 250 million tonnes (MT) by 2020.Minati Singha | TNN | April 06, 2016, 08:19 IST

BHUBANESWAR | April 5: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) set the deadline to complete the crucial Jharsuguda, Barpali and Sardege railway line by March 2017 to achieve its target of producing 250 million tonnes (MT) by 2020.

“Rail infrastructure is a major challenge for us for transport and evacuation of coal. The Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardege would enable Basundhara Coalfield to produce 85 MT as compared to its current production of 10 MT. Rail projects are very critical for MCL for achieving its higher growth potential,” said chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) of MCL, A K Jha. Mahanadi Coal Railway Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by MCL in association with IRCON International Ltd and IDCO to develop rail link.

Besides, MCL has also been planning to set up state-of-the-art machinery, coal handling plant and loading facilities to achieve the ambitious target. MCL is also planning to open two new mines including Garjanbahal in Sundergarh district and to increase the capacity of Kaniha mines from 10 MT to 14MT this year, Jha said.

On the controversial Baitarani East mines, which the state government requested the Centre to allocate, Jha said, “It is the property of the Centre and they would decide whom to allot the mines,” Jha said.

Speaking on new projects, Jha said, the proposed 1600 MW capacity Ultra Mega Power Plant in Sundargarh and 10 coal washeries with 10MT capacity have been waiting for coal linkages, forest and environment clearances at different stages.

MCL has registered a13.6% growth by producing 137.9 MT in 2015-16 compared to 121 MT in 2014-15. “This is a phenomenal achievement as Odisha became a coal abundance state from coal shortage state. We have set the target of producing 167 MT for 2016-17,” said Jha.

MCL’s upcoming 100-seat state-of-the-art Medical College and Hospital in Talcher Coalfield of Odisha will be ready in next three years, he said.